Blog

Exercising Your Dog Indoors

February 15, 2019

Winter can be beautiful, but for many people, spending a lot of time indoors can be tedious. While some of our canine patients love playing in snow, others will be spending a lot of time in their doggy beds. What do you do when it’s too cold to take Fido to the doggy park? In this article from Armitage Animal Clinic, a Newmarket, ON vet offers some advice on exercising dogs indoors.

Stair Runs

Running up and down stairs helped Rocky Balboa get fit, and it can also help your canine buddy stay in shape. Go to the top of the stairs, holding one of your pup’s favorite toys. Then, call your dog to you. When Fido reaches you, toss the toy down the stairs. He’ll probably run after it and bring it back. Even just a few rounds of this will be beneficial. (Note: this won’t work well with dogs who don’t Fetch.)

Treadmills

Many of our canine pals actually enjoy walking on treadmills. There are some caveats here, however. First, always take Fido’s collar off before putting him on a treadmill. You don’t want to take a chance of your pooch getting stuck! Start your dog out with the treadmill on the lowest setting. Finally, always supervise your furry best friend while he’s working out.

Fetch

You can play Fetch indoors, though you’ll need to choose a spot without a lot of breakable objects. Even a few minutes of play get help your furry buddy get a good workout in!

Laser Pointers

Chasing a laser pointer is another good way for Fido to get his workout in. Just take care not to shine the light in his eyes.

Hide and Seek

This fun children’s game is also a great way to get your furry pal moving. Hide in a closet or behind a door, and then call your dog. Fido may go around the whole house a few times before he finds you!

Tips

All dogs are unique, and they all have their own exercise needs. Some pooches, such as brachycephalic dogs, lose their breath easily, and should never be overexerted. Others should not be encouraged to jump too often. Ask your vet for specific tips on keeping your canine companion in shape.

As your Newmarket, ON vet clinic, we are happy to provide your pet with excellent veterinary care. Please contact us anytime!